Bleach

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/bleach

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the chemical name?Sodium hypochlorite
2. What is the primary active agent?Hypochlorous acid (HClO)
3. What is bleach and how does it clean?Bleach is a liquid that contains sodium hypochlorite. It releases a tiny acid that can break down dirt and germs. The acid moves into the germs and stops them from working.
4. Why does bleach make things white?Bleach makes things white by attacking the parts of molecules that give color. These parts, called chromophores, are changed so they no longer absorb light. The color disappears and the item looks bright.

Chromophore: The part of a molecule responsible for its color by absorbing specific wavelengths of light.
Redox Reaction: A chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons between species, often involving oxidation and reduction.
Antimicrobial Resistance: The ability of microorganisms to withstand the effects of antimicrobial drugs, making infections harder to treat.